By CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY— Reports that the track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) is substandard drew mixed reactions – mostly unpleasant – from almost everybody taking part in the Palarong Pambansa.
Aghast with the reports, Philippine Sports Commissioner Edward Hayco said they will conduct their own investigation after it was reported that the length of the track oval is just 398 meters and not the required 400 meters.
“We are taking it seriously. We’re investigating it. We will be having a third party to verify if it’s really short by two meters,” said Hayco who is from Cebu.
Hayco said the PSC can take necessary action regarding the issue as the PSC chairman is the vice-chair on the technical side of the Palarong Pambansa.
The oval supposedly being two-meter short cannot be taken for granted, Hayco said.
“We would like to revalidate what their basis was. It was short by two meters right? Two meters actually…in milliseconds, that can make you a gold or silver medalist,” said Hayco.
Despite several media reports that the CCSC oval did not meet the standard 400-meter distance, Ma. Jeanette Obiena, technical consultant of the Palarong Pambansa, refused to comment on the issue.
“We are not issuing a statement on this sensitive matter yet. We will wait for the blueprint of the CCSC oval from the contractor,” Obiena said.
A CCSC official who asked not to be named insisted that the overall length of the oval is 400 meters.
The oval may have some markings that are slightly off but it has the correct measurement of 400 meters, the official added.
Hayco said it is better to wait for the result of the investigation before making any conclusions.
“We trusted that the oval was made in 1994 and was measured correctly,” Hayco said.
As a former chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, Hayco said he was surprised when he heard reports that the oval was substandard.
While the issue is very concerning, Hayco said it is improper to blame someone when no concrete actions have been made yet to determine the exact measurement of the oval.
“Let’s not say one is at fault. Let’s not point fingers,” said Hayco.
Hayco also issued an appeal to those who made the findings that the oval is short of two meters.
“Whoever made that conclusion, please revalidate and verify with the third party,” Hayco said.
Hayco said it is important the oval’s measurement will be clarified as the facility will not be used for just the Palaro but for other national or even international competitions.
The issue should also not put the performance of the athletes in question, Hayco said.
“They are all on equal footing. The heat starts at the same time and ends at the same time. There’s a winner. The gold medallist ran better than the silver medallist,” said Hayco.(Calvin D. Cordova)
